Electric fence tester



P. cHRuszcH ELECTRIC FENCE TESTER Filed Feb. 15, 1957 P/r ChrqszchINVENTOR.

BY umvm United States Patent 2,920,273 ELECTRIC FENCE TESTER PeterChruszch, Backoo, N. Dak. Application February 15, 1957, Serial No.640,543 2 Claims. (Cl. 32472.5)

lamp so arranged as to be readily replaceable, yet which 's readilyvisible by the user.

,\supports a test rod but also carries a visual indicator Still furtherobjects and features of this invention reside in the provision of anelectric fence tester that is simple in construction, inexpensive tomanufacture, strong and durable, and safe to use.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of theinvention which will become apparent as the following descriptionproceeds, are attained by this electric fence tester, a preferredembodiment of which has been illustrated in the accompanying drawing, byway of example only, wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of the inventionwshown in use as a fencetester;

Figure 2 is an enlarged, partial vertical, sectional view as taken alongthe plane of line 22 in Figure'l, illustrating in particular theconstruction of the bracket utilized in the invention; and

Figure 3 is a horizontal, sectional view illustrating in plan view thebracket.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawing wherein likereference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views,reference numeral generally designates an electric fence including acontinuous conductor 12 carried by a fence post 14 and insulatedtherefrom by means of insulator 16. In order to determine continuity ofthe continuous wire or wires 12, the electric fence tester generallydesignated by reference numeral 18 and comprising the present inventionis employed. This fence tester includes a ground rod 20 of considerablelength and adapted to be used much in the manner of a cane by the personmaking the desired tests. The elongated rod 20 is preferably constructedfrom copper or other suitable electrically conductive material and has ahandle 22 at its upper end provided with a knob, as at 24, and formed ofany suitable material, such as rubber or the like. The upper end of therod 20 is fitted into a socket in the handle 22in any convenient manner.The lower end 26 of the rod 20 is conical in shape to form a point forready insertion into the ground. This is necessitated by the fact thatthe continuous conductor 12 is grounded at its ends, and by insertingthe rod 20 into the ground, it is possible to complete the circuitutilizing the other elements of the invention.-

Clampingly secured about the rod 20 is a bracket 28 which has abifurcated portion, as at 30, provided with an aperture 32 therethroughfor receiving the rod 20. Transverse bores are provided in thebifurcated portion 30 of the bracket 28 for receiving bolt-typefasteners 34 utilizedto clampingly adjoin the bifurcated portions intoclamping engagement about the rod 20.

The bracket 28 is provided with a recess 36 therein receiving a neonlamp 38 or the like therein. Positioned Patented Jan. 5, 1960 inoverlying relationship with respect to the lamp 38 for holding the lamp38 in position is a vision plate 40 having an aperture 42 therethroughthrough which light emanating from the lamp 38 may be perceived. Thevision plate 40 is held in place by means of screw-type fasteners, as at44.

The lamp 38 being of a conventional miniature neon tube has conductors45 and 46 connected thereto, which conductors are thereby carried bythe'bracket 28. The conductors 45 and 46 are provided with terminals,the terminals for the conductor 45 being connected by a screw connector48 to the ground rod 20.

The bracket 28 has an end portion 50 provided with an aperture 52therethrough through which the test rod 54 extends. The test rod has itsend, as at 56, suitably threaded for reception of threaded nuts 58 and60 which together hold the test rod 54 adjustably in place while alsoholding the terminal 62 in electrical connection with the test rod 54.

In use, as the user of this electric fence tester is walking along anelectric fence, he plants the ground rod 20 into the ground and allowsthe test rod 54 to abut against the continuous conductor 12. If there iscontinuity in the electric conductor 12, the lamp 38 will be excited andthere will be a visual indication that current is flowing in theconductor 12. I

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An electric fence tester comprising an elongated and conductiveground rod, an insulating bracket secured at one end to said ground rod,a first conductor connected to said ground rod, a lamp carried by saidbracket between its ends and connected to said first conductor, a secondconductor connected to said lamp, a test rod of electrically conductivematerial carried by the opposite end of said bracket and being generallyparallel and substantially shorter than said ground rod, said secondconductor connected to said test rod, said bracket having a recesstherein, said lamp removably received in said recess, and a detachablevision plate having an aperture therethrough detachably secured to saidbracket overlying said recess to retain said lamp in said recess.

2. An electric fence tester comprising an elongated electricallyconductive rod with a lower ground engaging end, an insulating handleattached to the upper end of said rod, an insulating bracket attached atits inner end to said rod intermediate the ends of said rod andprotruding laterally therefrom, a test rod approximately parallel tosaid ground engaging rod, means fastening said test rod to saidinsulating bracket near the outer end thereof, a lamp indicator, saidbracket having an upwardly opening recess in which said indicator isdisposed, and conductors extending from said indicator and connectedrespectively to said ground rod and said test rod.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,187,670 Spoiford June 20, 1916 2,450,153 Moore Sept. 28, 1948 FOREIGNPATENTS 829,353 France June 24, 1938 855,995 France May 24, 1940 683,997Great Britain Dec. 10, 1952

